Clinical outcomes of bilateral implantation of new generation monofocal IOL enhanced for intermediate distance and conventional monofocal IOL in a Korean population.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical outcomes of bilateral implantation of enhanced intermediate function intraocular lenses (IOLs) and standard monofocal IOLs. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, comparative controlled study, we compared the visual outcomes of patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, with either enhanced monofocal IOLs (Tecnis Eyhance, ICB00, Johnson and Johnson Vision Care, Inc) (Group 1) or standard monofocal IOLs (Tecnis, ZCB00, Johnson and Johnson Vision Care, Inc) (Group 2). The assessment included monocular and binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected intermediate (UIVA at 60 cm) and near (UNVA at 40 cm) visual acuity, uncorrected defocus curves, contrast sensitivity testing (CST), and reading speed test using Quality of vision was evaluated using the Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). RESULTS: At 3-months postoperatively, monocular and binocular outcomes of UIVA and UNVA were statistically significantly better in Group 1 (P < 0.05). The binocular uncorrected defocus curve of Group 1 showed statistically significantly better outcomes at vergence ranges of -1.5 to -4.0 D (P < 0.05). Significantly higher reading speed test was also observed in Group 1 in all ranges tested (1.0 to 0.1 LogMAR) (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in CST between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral implantation of enhanced monofocal IOLs provided better vision at intermediate and near distances compared to standard monofocal IOLs, while maintaining good distance vision and contrast sensitivity.

Simple surgical punctal occlusion with high frequency radiowave electrosurgery.

BACKGROUND: To introduce and evaluate the efficacy of a simple punctal occlusion technique for dry eye patients. METHODS: Medical records of 79 eyes from 40 patients refractory to common dry eye conservative treatment who underwent multiple high-frequency radio-wave electro-punctal occlusion were retrospectively reviewed. Pre- and post-procedural ocular surface indices (Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), and corneal staining grade (Oxford scheme)) and subjective symptom scores (including frequency of artificial tear use, interval between procedures, and total repeat time) were analyzed. RESULTS: Average Schirmer test result was significantly (P < 0.05) improved from 4.10 ± 1.39 mm to 8.14 ± 3.13 mm at 6 weeks after the procedure (n = 79). A total of 32 eyes from 16 patients underwent repeated procedure with a mean interval of 8.00 ± 4.86 months, while 24 patients had a single procedure. Twenty-five of 30 patients showed improvement for subjective symptom scores. No complications related to the procedure were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, less-invasive punctal occlusion technique using a fine-needle tip with high-frequency radio-wave could significantly relieve subjective symptoms and improve ocular surface indices of patients with aqueous deficient dry eye without causing a major complication. This procedure may play a considerable role in treating dry eye refractory to common practices.

Oxidation Damage Evolution in Low-Cycle Fatigue Life of Niobium-Stabilized Austenitic Stainless Steel.

Austenitic stainless steel is a vital material in various industries, with excellent heat and corrosion resistance, and is widely used in high-temperature environments as a component for internal combustion engines of transportation vehicles or power plant piping. These components or structures are required to be durable against severe load conditions and oxidation damage in high-temperature environments during their service life. In this regard, in particular, oxidation damage and fatigue life are very important influencing factors, while existing studies have focused on materials and fracture behavior. In order to ensure the fatigue life of austenitic stainless steel, therefore, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of the fracture process with microstructural change including oxidation damage according to the temperature condition. In this work, low-cycle fatigue tests were performed at various temperatures to determine the oxidation damage together with the fatigue life of austenitic stainless steel containing niobium. The characteristics of oxidation damage were analyzed through microstructure observations including scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and the X-ray diffraction patterns. In addition, a unified low-cycle fatigue life model coupled with the fracture mechanism-based lifetime and the Neu-Sehitoglu model for considering the influence of damage by oxidation was proposed. After the low-cycle fatigue tests at temperatures of 200-800 °C and strain amplitudes of 0.4% and 0.5%, the accuracy of the proposed model was verified by comparing the test results with the predicted fatigue life, and the validity by using the oxidation damage parameters for Mar-M247 was confirmed through sensitivity analysis of the parameters applied in the oxidation damage model. As a result, the average thickness of the oxide layer and the penetration length of the oxide intrusion were predicted with a mean error range of 14.7% and 13%, respectively, and the low-cycle fatigue life was predicted with a ±2 factor accuracy at the measurement temperatures under all experimental conditions.

Galectin-3 Secreted by Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduces Aberrant Tau Phosphorylation in an Alzheimer Disease Model.

The formation of neurofibrillary tangles has been implicated as an important pathological marker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies have revealed that the inhibition of abnormal hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of tau in the AD brain might serve as an important drug target. Using in vitro and in vivo experimental models, such as the AD mouse model (5xFAD mice), we investigated the inhibition of hyperphosphorylation of tau using the human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs). Administration of hUCB-MSCs not only ameliorated the spatial learning and memory impairments but also mitigated the hyperphosphorylation of tau in 5xFAD mice. Furthermore, in vivo experiments in mice and in vitro ThT fluorescence assay validated galectin-3 (GAL-3) as an essential factor of hUCB-MSC. Moreover, GAL-3 was observed to be involved in the removal of aberrant forms of tau, by reducing hyperphosphorylation through decrements in the glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3ß). Our results confirm that GAL-3, secreted by hUCB-MSC, regulates the abnormal accumulation of tau by protein-protein interactions. This study suggests that hUCB-MSCs mitigate hyperphosphorylation of tau through GAL-3 secretion. These findings highlight the potential role of hUCB-MSCs as a therapeutic agent for aberrant tau in AD.